An inquest for five men who died in an explosion at an illegal vodka
factory has heard it was most likely started by one of them lighting a
cigarette.
The five Lithuanian men died from the effects
of smoke inhalation in the blast at an industrial estate in Boston,
Lincolnshire, last July.
Fire chief Ian Woods said the
blast was most likely caused by a build-up of flammable vapours ignited
by a spark. The inquest also heard the men all had high blood alcohol
levels at the time.
Police, fire and ambulance crews
were called to the Broadfield Lane Industrial Estate in Boston at about
19:00 BST on Wednesday 13 July 2011.
Erlandas Duzinskas,
19, Vaidas Krupenkinas, 39, Laimutis Simkus, 32, Ovidijus Mejeris, 26,
and Ricardas Gecas, 24, all died in the blast.
The
inquest at Spalding Magistrates Court also heard evidence from the only
survivor, Rytas Gecas, who suffered 75% burns in the explosion. He said
they had all smoked inside the unit while working and knew it was
dangerous. He said he thought someone had lit a cigarette with a lighter
before the blast.
CRS Director Stephen Asbury said "It
is difficult to properly regulate anything in an illegal operation -
tax, employment rights, or safety. What's clear is that once again, the
case for health and safety is proven; with simple precautions, these
five deaths were entirely preventable."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england- lincolnshire-18154900
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